The Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo is committed to ensuring a tailored and supportive research environment for each candidate pursuing postgraduate studies. Allocation of a research supervisor is based on the candidate’s preferred area of study. Although accommodating all preferences may not always be feasible due to various factors, the faculty strives to align candidates with supervisors who possess expertise in the relevant field. In cases where specialized knowledge is required, candidates may also be paired with supervisors from disciplines outside the Faculty of Law. This ensures that candidates receive comprehensive guidance and support tailored to their research needs.

Throughout the duration of the programme, candidates are expected to engage in regular meetings with their assigned supervisors. These routine interactions provide a platform for in-depth discussions on the progress of the research. The supervisor plays a pivotal role in closely collaborating with the candidate, offering valuable insights, and providing constructive feedback and advice. This collaborative and mentorship-based approach underscores the Faculty of Law’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for advanced research and academic development, ensuring that each candidate receives personalized guidance in their pursuit of scholarly excellence.

 

1. Appointment of Supervisors

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The appointment of supervisors is carried out by the Higher Degrees Committee of the Faculty of Law. Supervisors can be appointed as sole supervisors or as a panel, two or three supervisors depending on the multidisciplinary nature of the research and the expertise required for effective guidance. Supervisors may be chosen from within the Faculty of Law or from external sources to best cater to the specific research needs. In cases where multiple supervisors are appointed, they are collectively considered co-supervisors, each playing an equal and significant role in overseeing the progress of the thesis. All co-supervisors are expected to contribute actively to the guidance and mentorship of the candidate.

During the final stage of thesis submission for evaluation, the endorsement of all supervisors is required. This process emphasizes the collaborative nature of the supervision and ensures that each supervisor’s input is acknowledged in the evaluation of the candidate’s work. The Faculty of Law is dedicated to facilitating effective and comprehensive supervision to support the successful completion of research endeavours. In the event that a supervisor feels the need to discontinue their supervisory role, they are required to communicate this decision in writing to the Higher Degrees Committee through the Coordinator of the MPhil / PhD Programmes. Conversely, if a supervisee expresses dissatisfaction with their assigned supervisor, they have the option to appeal to the Higher Degrees Committee through the MPhil/PhD Coordinator. The appeal is a formal request for the appointment of a new supervisor.

2. Role of a Supervisor

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The role of a supervisor is crucial in guiding and supporting the MPhil/ PhD candidate throughout the research and dissertation writing process, and therefore Faculty of Law closely monitors the relationship between supervisor and supervisee.

1. Guide and Support: Throughout the research process, the supervisor guide and support identifying the research area, refining the research title, helping in formulating research questions, designing methodologies, and establishing a clear research plan. Guiding to adhere to research ethics and standards to ensure that the research follows common ethical guidelines and standards, promotes research integrity.
2. Feedback: The supervisor provides constructive feedback and tracks progress to ensure research meets expected standards. They maintain honesty and fairness throughout the process, fostering academic growth. The supervisor maintains an open and transparent communication channel, providing honest assessments of the research. This approach establishes a trustful relationship between the supervisor and the researcher, creating an environment conducive to intellectual growth and scholarly development.
3. Accessibility: Supervisors are expected to establish regular meetings with their supervisees to offer comprehensive feedback on the ongoing research. Both the supervisor and supervisee should maintain a record of these meetings, ensuring a documented history of discussions and progress. This practice contributes to effective communication and a transparent record of the evolving research process.
4. Awareness of Relevant Rules and Guidelines: Supervisors are expected to be fully aware of the pertinent guidelines, bylaws, and rules established by the Faculty of Law and the University of Colombo concerning higher degree programs. This knowledge ensures adherence to institutional standards and compliance with academic regulations, thereby promoting the integrity and quality of these programs.
5. Duty to Inform Unsatisfactory Candidate’s Progress: A supervisor shall report to the Higher Degrees Committee when, in his/her opinion, a postgraduate candidate is not making satisfactory progress in his/her work or is not likely to reach the required standard. 
6. Mental Support: In addition to the primary role of a supervisor in overseeing and guiding a MPhil/ PhD thesis, it is imperative that they extend their support beyond academic realms. Supervisors should actively consider the mental well-being of the candidate, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment.  Recognizing the importance of a positive and empathetic mentorship, supervisors should actively create an environment that facilitates open communication, where candidates feel comfortable expressing their concerns and seeking guidance not only on academic matters but also on personal and professional development.
7. Avoid Conflict of Interest: The supervisor must openly declare any potential conflicts of interest that may exist between their personal interests and professional responsibilities. This declaration is essential to uphold transparency and prevent any undue influence on decisions and actions.
8. Set Milestones: Help the supervisee establish goals and milestones for their research. This ensures the timely submission of the the thesis.

 

3. Role of a Supervisee

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Fostering a healthy relationship between a supervisor and a supervisee is crucial for cultivating an environment that is conducive to the postgraduate research journey. This relationship is built on effective communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative approach to academic and research endeavors.

 

1. Initiating Meetings: The supervisee is responsible for initiating regular meetings with the supervisor to facilitate ongoing research progress. These meetings are crucial for receiving constructive feedback, revising proposals and chapters, and discussing key aspects such as methodology, theoretical frameworks, and research conception. A minimum of 10 supervisory meetings is mandated throughout the MPhil/ PhD research journey to ensure consistent guidance and progress tracking. However, more hours may be allocated depending on the candidate’s progress and needs.
2. Maintaining Record-Keeping: It is the duty of the supervisee to maintain a record of supervisory meetings. These details should be accurately documented in the supervisory meeting form, and both the supervisor and supervisee should sign the form. These signed forms serve as official documentation of the discussions and decisions made during the meetings. All supervisory forms, duly filled and signed, should be submitted to the Postgraduate Unit of the Faculty of Law for record-keeping purposes.
3. Upholding Productive Relationship: It is the supervisee’s responsibility to cultivate and maintain a productive relationship with the supervisor, for this establishes a very good communication system.
4. Allowing Sufficient Time: The supervisee should acknowledge the importance of providing sufficient time for the supervisor to review and provide feedback on draft work. This ensures a thorough and rigorous research process.
5. Failing to Make Satisfactory Quality: Higher Degrees Committee to that effect and in the opinion of the Faculty Board if a postgraduate candidate is not making satisfactory progress, the Faculty Board may recommend to the Senate the cancellation of the registration of the said postgraduate candidate and upon acceptance of such recommendation by the Senate such candidate shall cease to be a registered postgraduate candidate of the University.
6. Awareness of Rules and Procedures: The supervisee should demonstrate a clear and comprehensive awareness of all relevant bylaws, rules, procedures, and critical milestones integral to the MPhil/ PhD program.

 

4. Supervisor – Supervisee Meeting Form Submission

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It is important to make the most of the time allocated to supervisor-supervisee meetings during postgraduate research. Here are some tips to use those hours productively.

1. Ensure you come to the meeting well-prepared. Have drafts of your proposal and chapters ready in advance. This can help make the discussions more focused and productive.
2. Before the meeting, prepare a list of notes and questions you want to clarify or discuss with your supervisor. This will help ensure that all concerns are addressed during the meeting.
3. Use the allocated hours to discuss subjects directly relevant to your research. Avoid veering off-topic or spending excessive time on unrelated matters.
4. Use notetaking methods. This will help you remember the key points discussed and track your progress.
5. Try to send your chapters when they are complete or in a reasonably polished state. Avoid sending half-completed or rough drafts to your supervisor.

Candidates are required to comply with the stipulated guidelines for submitting supervisor–supervisory meeting forms to the Postgraduate Unit:

 

1. At the proposal submission stage, a minimum of three forms should be submitted.
2. At the intermediate submission of chapters, a minimum of three forms should be submitted along with draft chapters.
3. At the final submission of the thesis for evaluation, a minimum of four forms should be submitted along with the thesis.

Upon successful completion of the registration and interview process, a candidate may be admitted to the MPhil/ PhD programmes in the Faculty of Law. The MPhil/ PhD journey is a rigorous process that involves several critical milestones.

1. Mandatory Coursework

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MPhil/PhD candidates are required to successfully complete a mandatory research methodology course organized by the Postgraduate Unit of the Faculty of Law. This intensive three-month course is essential for guiding candidates in adopting acceptable research methods and designs, understanding citation methods, adhering to plagiarism policies, and comprehending research ethics and the rules and policies governing higher-degree research programs. Each component of this course is compulsory, and upon successful completion, candidates will be awarded a certification of course completion.

 

2. Synopsis/ Proposal Submission

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A brief synopsis/proposal prepared in consultation with the supervisor shall be submitted to the Postgraduate Unit within six months from the date of registration.

 

Expectation

1. Display evidence of the candidate’s ability to think critically, analytically and independently and to reach the candidate’s own conclusions.
2. Show that the candidate has a sound and in-depth grasp of the theoretical foundations of the area and a clear legal view of the issues and debates present in the area.
3. Show that the candidate possesses the required professional skills to analyze legal problems and to design and assess ways the offer solutions to legal problems.
4. Prove that the candidate has the ability to present his/her thinking, grasp of matters and solutions/recommendations clearly and systematically.
5. Establish that the candidate has made a careful and in-depth survey of the available writing in the area chosen.
6. Demonstrate that the candidate has used accepted research methodology in conducting his/her research.

 

Formatting Guidelines

1. 1. Font: Times New Roman
   2. Font Size: 12
   3. Line Spacing: 1.5
   4. Margins: Left – 40mm, Right – 25mm, Top – 25mm, Bottom – 25mm

• Word Limit: 5000 – 6000 [excluding footnotes and bibliography]

• Follow the 4th Edition Oxford University Standards Citation for the Legal Authorities [OSCOLA] citation method [https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/migrated/oscola_4th_edn_hart_2012.pdf]

3. Components of Synopsis/Proposal

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1. Background to the Research: Provide a comprehensive background that contextualizes the research within the relevant legal framework or broader academic landscape.
2. Statement of Research Problem: Clearly articulate the specific research problem that the study aims to address.
3. Objectives and Research Questions: Enumerate the specific objectives of the research, outlining what the study aims to achieve, and clearly state the research questions that the study seeks to answer [preferably 4-5 questions]
4. Preliminary Literature Review: Summarize existing literature relevant to the research problem, demonstrating an understanding of the current state of knowledge in the field.
5. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework: Define the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that will guide the research.
6. Research Methodology: Describe the research methods and approaches that will be employed, outlining the data collection and analysis techniques.
7. Significance of Study: Explain the importance and potential contributions of the research to the field of law or related disciplines.
8. Limitations: Acknowledge any potential limitations or constraints that may impact the scope or generalizability of the study.
9. Structure of the Thesis: a brief analysis of the subsequent chapters.
10. Research Plan and Timeline: Provide a detailed plan outlining the stages and timeline for completing the research.
11. Bibliography: List of reference orderly listed as per OSCOLA referencing style.

 

4. Presentation of the Synopsis/Proposal

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 As part of the MPhil/PhD proposal submission process, candidates are required to present their proposal in front of the evaluation panel appointed by the Faculty of Law within one month of submitting the proposal.

 

• Presentation Format – Presentation Slides: Prepare a PowerPoint presentation consisting of a maximum of 10-12 slides. This should include essential elements such as the introduction, research objectives & research questions, methodology, literature review, significance of study and anticipated contributions, and timeline.

 

• Time Allocation: The presentation should not exceed 15 minutes. It is essential to be concise and focused on the key aspects of your proposal to make the most of the allotted time.

 

• Penal Evaluation and Discussion: A dedicated 15 minutes is allocated for a comprehensive question-and-answer session with the panel. Candidates are expected to respond thoughtfully and concisely, with the view to demonstrating a profound understanding of the research. This session provides an opportunity for the panel to seek clarifications, delve deeper into specific aspects of the proposal, and engage in a constructive dialogue. This session provides valuable feedback to further enhance the quality and robustness of the research proposal.

 

• Final Submission – Refining Resubmitting the Proposal: Following the candidate’s presentation, the candidate should make necessary revisions to the initial proposal in response to the feedback provided by the panel. Depending on the circumstances, the candidate will be given a maximum period of three months to resubmit the revised proposal. The revised proposal must reflect a thoughtful consideration of the panel’s feedback, demonstrating the candidate’s commitment to continuous improvement and a thorough understanding of the subject matter. The revised proposal should be made to the Postgraduate Unit within the specified timeframe.

 

5. MPhil to PhD Upgrading Presentation Guidelines

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MPhil candidates seeking to transition to a PhD degree program are mandated to showcase their ongoing research efforts before an evaluation panel appointed by the Faculty of Law. This presentation requirement comes into effect upon completion of one year of research, during which candidates are expected to have developed a substantial body of work comprising at least three chapters, with a minimum word count of 25,000. The upgrading presentation is anticipated to adhere to the following format;

 

1. Duration: The presentation should be a concise 15 minutes.
2. PowerPoint Slides (PPTs): Prepare a well-structured presentation with 10-12 slides.
3. Content: The presentation should encompass the following key elements in addition to the general parts of the presentation. These guidelines will ensure that your upgrading presentation is informative and effectively communicates your research progress and its significance.

 

• Summary of the Work Done: Begin with a succinct overview of the research undertaken.
• Methodology and Literature Review: Explain the research methods employed and provide a comprehensive review of relevant literature in your field.
• Contribution to New Knowledge: Clearly articulate the novel insights and contributions your research has made to the academic domain.
• Future Works: Outline the future research directions and projects, including a defined timeline.

 

Panel Evaluation and Feedback Process:

The Higher Degrees Committee of the Faculty of Law will appoint an evaluation panel comprising external experts to conduct a rigorous assessment of the candidate’s research work. The panel’s primary objective is to offer constructive feedback and make determinations based on the research quality and the contribution of the candidate.

 

The panel holds the authority to grant one of the following decisions:

 

• Immediate Approval of Upgrading: If the research quality and the candidate’s contribution meet the necessary standards, the panel may grant immediate approval for the candidate’s upgrading.

 

• Further Time for Improvement: In cases where there is potential for improvement, the panel may provide the candidate with additional time on a case-by-case basis to refine and present the project.

 

• Refusal to Upgrade: If the research work does not meet the required standards, the panel retains the right to decline the request for upgrading.

 

6. Intermediate Submission of Research Chapters (applicable for PhD Candidates)

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PhD candidates are mandated to submit a minimum of three complete draft chapters, in addition to the first chapter (proposal chapter), to the Postgraduate Unit. This submission is required within 18 months of presenting the final research proposal to the Faculty of Law.

 

7. Submission of Progress Report

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In order to ensure the continuous advancement of the MPhil/PhD research, it is imperative for the candidate to maintain regular progress updates. To facilitate this, our faculty mandates that MPhil/PhD candidates submit progress reports every six months after submitting the final proposal. These reports are to be reviewed and endorsed by the candidate’s supervisor. This practice not only enables us to monitor and assess the development of the research but also ensures that candidates receive invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout their academic journey.